Pattern mechanism for knitting



Nev. 1, 1938.

R. H. LAWSON ET AL 2,135,185

PATTERN MECHANISM ,FOR KNITT ING Filed NOV. 17, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTORS; PoBERT'H. LAWsazv, BYA'RTHUR M GLOW/ER,

A TTORNEYF Nov. 1, 1938.. R. H. LAWSON ET AL PATTERN MECHANISM FORKNITTING 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 17, 1931) FIG; 2.

B ARTHUR AZ CLOUTJEI? ATTORNEY.

NOV. 1, 1938. R wsoN ET AL 2,135,185 N PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTINGFiled NOV. 17, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS': ROBERTH LAWSaN,

BYARTHUR M czar/772R,

07 ATTORNEY.

NOV. 1, 1938. R H, LAWSON ET AL 2,135,185

' PATTERN'MECHANISM FOR KNITTING eososss -INVENTOR5:

ATTORNEY,

Nov. 1, 1938. R. H. LAWSON ET AL 51 113 PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING vFiled Nov. 17, 193i) 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS: ROBEETH LAwsaAr, ARTH EN 6'40 1/7722,

ATTORNEY.

1938' R. H. LAWSON ET AL 2,135,185

PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING Filed Nov. 17, 1930- 8 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTORS: FOBERTH LAM S0181, BY ARTHUR Al CLOUT/ER,

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 1, 1938". 7 JR; H. LAwsoN ET AL 2,135,185

PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING Filed Nov. 17, 1930 78 Sheets-Sheet 7FIG-14".

y h. o?

ATTORNE Nov. 1, 1938. R. H. LAWSON ET AL PAT 'IERN MECHANISM FORKNITTING Filed Nov. 17, 1930 a Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG.16 .I

m U mwoim n m WL .TT m U mw M Patented Nov. 1, 1938 PATENT OFFICE2,135,185 7 PATTERN MECHANISM FOR KNITTING 1 Robert H. Lawson,Pawtucket, and Arthur N;

Cloutier, Lonsdale, R. L, assignors to Hemphill Company, Central Falls,R. 1., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 17, 1930,Serial No. 496,228

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved mechanism for fashioning the legof the stockingand for variably controlling the lengths 01' stitches inthe various parts of the stocking. As herein specifically disclosed themachine is of a type similar to that disclosed in the patent to Hemphill933,443, September '7, 1909, although the inventionis applicable tostationary needle cylinder machines and is not in all respects limitedto circular machines nor to hosiery machines.

In the drawings: a

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a knitting niachine with theimprovements applied;-

, Fig. 2 is a view partly in section showing the 13 means for advancingthe patternchain;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section of a fashioning bracket for variablydetermining the lengths of stitches to be knit in difierent parts of thestock- .ing;

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation of the fashioning bracket shown inFig. 3;.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the cam block;

Fig. 6 is a view showing the cams for control- 4 ling meansin-thefashioning bracket to determine thelengths of stitches;.

Fig. 7 is a detail view in section of the fashioning bracket and drumupon which the cams, Fig. 6, are mounted;

Fig. 8 is a view inend elevation showing an eccentric fashioning camwhich determines thelengths of the stitches during the fashioning of theleg of a stocking;

Fig. 9is a detail view showing the position of the eccentric at thebeginning of the fashioning of a leg of a stocking;

Fig. ,10 is a view similar to Fig; 9 but with the eccentric in theposition it assumes at the completion of the fashioning of a leg of astocking;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of means for retiming 4 0" the fashioning wheelshown in Figs. 8-10;

Fig. 12 is a view partly in section through the machine showing theeccentric cam and shaft controlled thereby;

Fig.-l3 .is a detail view at the side of the ma- 45 chine oppositethe-eccentric cam and showing the shaft, controlled by the eccentric camin turn controllingthe movements of a rod connected to the cam block;

Fig. 14 is a view. similar to Fig. 12 but showing 50 a modification;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but of the modification shown inFig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a view partly in section on line Iii- 1 l6, Fig. 15, butomitting the fashioning wheel; 56 Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view showinga. modifled form of plunger mounted in a fashioning bracket;

Fig-18 is a detail view of the plunger shown in Figure 17; and

Fig; 19 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing '5 camsarranged on thedrum adapted to control the aligned plungers shown in Figs. 17 and 18.

The knitting, machine herein disclosed has, mounted therein the usualneedle cylinder I which, preferably, rotates continuously in one- 10direction during the knitting of the legs and-feet, of stockings andreciprocates during the knitting of the heel and toe pockets. Circularand reciprocating movements of the needle cylinder ,l are communicatedthereto by means of a ring gear. 15 (not shown) connected to the needlecylinder-and driven through other gearing which in turnis driven by theusual pulleys 2. The usual latch ring 3 is provided as well as the usualcam block V or cam ring 4 upon which are mounted narrow-v 20 ing picks 5and widening picks (not shown). The usual sinker head and cap controlthe movements of the sinkers.

' Referring specifically -to Figs. 3-7 inclusive, means are shown forvarying the lengths of 2.3 stitches drawn by the needles and/or sinkersconsisting of mechanism which varies the vertical positions of the camblock 4 and is primarily intended variably to determine the lengths ofstitches knit in different parts of a stocking as 30' for example, inthe leg, high splice, heel, double sole, toe and loopers rounds althoughequally well adapted to vary the lengths of the stitches for any otherpurpose.

The means specifically herein disclosed for variably determining thevertical positions of the cam block 4, include a rod 6 connected to thecam block 4 and supporting the same. Attached to the rod 6 intermediateits ends by means of Y a screw or bolt 7 is a fashioning bracket 8 pro-40 vided with a series of pins or plungers. 9 adjustably carried therebyand received in slots or grooves in the said bracket. The bracket 8 isatwo-part bracket consisting of a part l0 integral with or connected tothe portion of the bracket attached to the rod 6, and another part IIwhich is detachably connected to the part H) as by screws 12. The pinsor plungers 9 within the slots provided in the part ID of the bracketare retained therein by the part II of the two-part bracket While thepins or plungers 9 in the part II are retained in the slots therein bythe part ID of the bracket. In other words the bracket parts I0 and IIeach serve to retain the pins or plungers 9 within the slots of theotheror. comthrough which passes a screw 32 inthreaded errpanionbracketpart. .As aforesaid the pins .or plungersB are adaptedadjustably to bepositioned lengthwise of the slots in the bracket 4'0 and .H and forthis purpose adjusting screws 13 and 14 are provided which pass "throughthreaded holes .in plates and 16., respectively-connected to the upperends of the parts and H of bracket .8 as by screws l1 and I 8. 'Ihesrespectivescrews l3 and 1.4 may 'be adjusted by turning them in :onedirection or the other by which turning movements the setscrewseither-cause thepins or .plungers S -to move downwardly or permitspringsI9, to engage upper shoulders'proviided by the recesses 21, 22 in the'respective plungers and cause the said plungers or pins to retract ormove upwardly. The coil-springs 1115,20, att-he'ir lower endsrespectively engage pins or rods 23,,

24 seated within slots provided in the respective bracket parts Ill andH. After the set' screws [3 and 54 have been adjusted to the desiredextent locking screws 25, 26 are turned in order to retain the screws13, J4 in theirsset :positions.

The pins or plungers' 9 at their lower ends project beyond'themespective hracket parts In and H and, during fashioning 'ofithe leg ofa stocking, rest upon'an adjustable cam'2 'l pivotallymounted at 28.upon acamdrum 29 which is mounted for turning movements uponwa camshaft-'30; The pivotally m'ounted-cam 21 at its other end isprovided-with an elongated slot 31 gagernent .with the drum. Theelongated slot 31 and pin orscrew 32 permit the cam '27 to be titled ormoved-'Iupon-i'ts pivot2 8, and .for this purpose an adjusting:s'crewfi3-3, received through a threaded opening in a lug 34 carried bythe drum 2 9, engages at its other end at .35 a face of the:camtFLwhereby adjustments :of the screw 33 cause the-sa'idcam 21 'to move indirections toward or from the surface :of the drum 29 and consequentlyvary the eccentricity of the .surface of the cam 21. withrespect to theaxis of the drum 295' As will be understood froman inspection of Figs.3, 4 and 5., adjustments of the pins or plungers 9 in the direction-ofvthe drum-19 causethe 'carn block l'to abe :raised which movementof thecam block results in shorter :stitches :being drawn by the needles andsinkers.

In the construction shown .in Figs. f3, 4,5 and 6 fashioning of the leg0f a-stoc'king is determined means independent of the drum=-29 may beprovided asspecificaliy disclosed in Figs. "8-13inclusive wherein isshown in addition to the fashioning drum '29, and at the other side ofthe frame therefrom, auxiliary means for fashioning the leg of thestocking consisting of a fashioning wheel or disc 31 freely mounted:upon a :shaftdB which isfast to and is .a continuation of shaft30..-.'The disc'S?! is retained again-st movements endwise of shaft 38by means of a collar 3'9 held in place upon said shaft 38 by a set screw41].

The wheel or disc 3 is provided with teeth *4 3,135,185 y along .aportion of itsperiphern which teeth are .periodicallyengagedbymeansof apawl 42. The wheel 31 has fastened thereto integrally or otherwise a.hub 43 the "major portion. of the periphery :of which is concentric,with the axis of the wheel .3] but which is "out along a portion-of itsperiphery as at 44 and within which cut out portion. is adjustablyseated a ring segmentor eccentric 45.

The eccentric 4.5'is pivoted at 45 to'the wheel 31' and adjacent to itsother end receives therethrough an adjusting screw 41 in icontactwiththe cut out portion of the hub 43. so that by adjustingj'the set screw41' the eccentric '45 may be moved to or from the hub 4.3. A lockingscrew '48 serves .to hold the screw- 41 in .a desired .addustedposition.

A brake 4'9 bears against one face of the wheel '31 while a leafspring:SDFha'ving a shoe or pad L5! is in constant braking engagement with theopposite 'face o'fjthe wheel 31.. The brake is maintained in adjustablefrictional engagement with one face of the wheel or disc 31 by means oftwo loose nuts 52; 53 which are .in threaded engagement with a.threadedstud 54 fastened to a hub '55 carriedby :a -brake-S'G. To--.eifect such adjustments the brake "5'0 reoeived' between the two nuts52, 53 which two rnuts 'areturned either to increase or] decrease thebraking pressure which the pad 5| exerts on the faoeof the pattern wheelor disc I31, The brake 49 *is clamped between 'hub 55' and a nut 15;!which is also in threaded engagement with the threaded stud $4. When thepawl-:42 engages a tooth "4 and causes r'ackingmovements to the impartedtoithe fashion- .ing wheel or disc 131' the brakes $85, LSD-preventoverthrow of the said pattern-wheelaor disc.

The .usualdisc or'wheel -58 tor shipping the .belt from one pulley 2-toanother is fixed to and turns with cam drum shaft T30. The brake 56which carries brakes, :and- :51! is provided with a friction pador'other means 53 normally held.

in contact with a face :of the 'disc or wheel .58 in any suitable"manner so :as to prevent overthrow :of the WheeI S'B and cam shaft all.To the hub 6i) of the wheel 58 is attached in :any suitablemanner thestub shaft Sadw'fiaich whenconnected with the hub 60 turns with'athecam-shaft 38.

Movements are imparted to the pawl 42 by mounting the same upon the:constantlyoscillat- .ing :quadrant shaft 161, and as a consequencethereof the. pawl 42. may rank the fashioning,

wheel .or disc 31 once -for'=eac"h twelve courses while active duringthe knitting of the calf or fashioned part of the leg of a stocking. The

number of :courses comprised within the fashioned part of- :a stockingis determined by the number of teeth 41 between sthegpoints indicated-bythe numerals -62 and 63.

After the fashioning for *th'enleg 0f: :one :stock- 'ing has beencompletedrandiuntil theiashioning portion of the leg of the :nextstocking vis begunthe fashioning wheel or :disc 3?! although looselymounted on the shaft 38 is carried around with the said shaft and drums,including drum 2.9., by means of .alug 164 on the collard!) -=.engagingwith a lug 65. carried :by and forming part of the disc orwheel 31.During'theiknitting of. the fashioned portionro'f the leg of thestockingthe main .fashioning drum 29 as well as the shaft '38 do not move; :butthe pawl 42, which at the commencement of leg fashioning is in positionto engage the first tooth 41 :as shown :in Fig. :9, thereafterandqthroughout the fashioning of the leg inter- :mittently racks theauxiliary ffashion'ing wheel tion of the arrow, Fig. 9, until the lasttooth has been engagedby the pawl 42 at which time the fashioning wheel31 is in the position shown in Fig. 10. The independent movem'entof thewheel 3! from the position of Fig. 9 to that of Fig. 10

I carries'ormoves'the log 65 to theposition shown in Fig. 10 where it issubstantially separated from the companion lug 64. Thereaftertheauxiliary fashioning wheel 3l ceases tomove but the main shaft 30 andmainfashioning drum 29 are again set in 'moti'on. f,."I'hej lug 64thereupon moves in The hereinbefore described independent movement ofthe lug 64, from the position shown in Fig. 10 until it engages thecompanion lug 65 after which the two lugsmove around to the positionshown in Fig. 9 where the pawl 42 again engages the ratchetteeth 4| tocontrol the movements of the auxiliary fashioning wheel or disc 31 andthereby determine the lengths of the stitches drawn by the cooperativemovements of the sinkers and needles, acts to retimc the mechanism sothat there is no necessity of manually setting or retiming thefashioning wheel or disc 31 The ring segment or eccentric 45 is engagedby a shoe 66 pivotally carried by one arm 61 of ,a

lever 68 fixed to a shaft 69. Intermediate the ends of the arm 61 theshoes 65 is pivotecl as at I0 and a screw II passing through the arm 6'!and in threaded engagement therewith bears upon the shoe 66' and servesadjustably to position the latter with respect to the surface of the 1eccentric 45.

The shaft 69 estends'through and transversely or bracket I4 fastened toand forming part of the;

machine frame; The housing is provided with an elongated slot I5 throughwhich passes a pin I6 made fast to the rod 6 at its other end. The endofthe pin I5 projecting through the slot I5 rests upon the lever arm I2and consequently up ward movements of the said lever arm are transmittedto the rod 6 and to the cam block 4.

As shown in Fig. 8 the portion of the surface of the eccentric ,45corresponding to the last stitch of the leg fashioning is raised abovethe portion of the eccentric corresponding to the first stitch thereofand consequently as the fashioning.

disc or wheel 31 moves from the position shown in Fig.9 to that shown inFig. 10 the camblock the leg of the stocking.

As hereinbefore stated the pawl 42, during the fashioning of the leg ofthe stocking, periodicallyengages-teeth 4|. The periodic rackingmovements imparted to the pattern wheel 31 by pawl 42 are determinedbythe means specifically disclosed in Figs. 2, 8, 9, 10-and 12 whereinlugs I1 onthe'pattern chain-18 are movable into engagement with acompanion lug I9 which is connected,

by means of a screw 80, to a pawl idling lever 81. The lever 8| ispivotally supported upon a stub shaft 82 provided with a head as andin-84 of the machine frame. c I I When lug I9 is not engaged by a chainlug II ithelever- 8i is'in such a position that a .rear-' wardlyextending arm 85 of the saidlever is maintained in a raised position bymeans of a springBB; which is mounted upon'a'block 931, carried by theframe of the machine, engaging a lug88 integral with the hub 89 of thelever 8 l.

When in raised position the arm 85 of the lever B! maintains a pawl 90in an elevated and idle position. Thesaidpawl 90 ispivotally mounted at9| upon the quadrant 92 which latter is pivoted'to the quadrant shaftBlas at 93 and has an arm the outer or free end of whichis pivoted at 95to a link 96. The link 96 at its other end is pivotally andadjustablyconnected by a pin and slot 91 to the 104- gear 98. The

threaded engagement with-a boss or enlargement pivotal connectionbetween the link 96 and f l 04 gear 98 is an eccentric one whereby when,during continuous circular knitting, the gear 98"is ro- 'tated by meansof a pinion 99 looselym ountecl upon a shaft 100, the pivoted end of the1ink"96 1S rotated about the axis of the ge'a'r'981a'nd consequently thequadrant 92 is, oscillated once, for

each revolution of the 104 gear 98 n every four courses of knitting.

Oscillationof the quadrant 92'causes 'tihe pavvl" 90 to be reciprocatedback and forth once for each four courses of knitting and when the arm.

85 of the pawl idling lever 8| is in raised position such pawl 90reciprocates idly along the upper face or edgeof the said arm 85. At'other position pawl 90 is permitted to drop into engagement with teethof the ratchet I01 and thereby.

rack .or advance the said ratchet IOI as well as shaft and earnscarried-thereby.

The active and inactive movements of the pawl 90 are dictated by meansof the lugs -'II carried.

by the pattern chain I8 whic'h patternichain is mounted upon thesprocket carried by a ratchet wheel .102 which ratchet wheel, sprocketand chain 18 are loosely mounted upon theshaft 30 The lugs-TI may be andpreferably :are of. three heights (one height only being shown) and whena low lug 11 engages lug19sthe lever arm "85 is lowered a slighte'xtentwhich permits the pawl 90 to advance the ratchet 'IIII, the distancemeasured between two adjacent ratchet teeth such as I03, Fig. 2; when alug II of an intermediateheight engages the,-lug I9 the arm 85 of thelever BI is lowered to such an extent as to permit the pawl 90 toadvance the ratchet "II the distance of two ratchet teeth as indicatedat I04, Fig. 2; when a high lug 11 engages the lug I9 the lever arm 85permits the pawl 90 to fully advance the ratchet llll the d stancemeasured by four ratchet teeth and indicated at I05. Fig. 2. Thus by anappropriate disposition of the lugs" upon vthe pattern chain I8 theratchet [III and consequently theshaft 30' and earns carried thereby maybe advanced as desired or prevented from a'dvancing'throughout theknitting of any desired numberof courses. 7

The loosely mounted ratchet I02 and chain I8 are advanced throughout theknitting of a stocking or other fabric, once for each four courses ofknitting, by means of a shoe or cam I06 fast to the shaft 93 'andtherefore movable with the quadrant 92. The shoe or camIIlB engages aroll mounted upon a pin or screw IO'I carried by one arm'of a lever I08which is pivoted intermediate its ends to anyvconvenient part of themachine frame as'at I09 and has pivotally mounted upon its other arm H0as at III another pawl H2 which last named pawl is in constantengagement with the equally spaced ratchet teeth H3 on the periphery ofthe ratchet I02.

The needle cylinder I is, preferably, driven in a continuous circulardirectionthroughout the knitting of the circular portions of the legsand feet of the stockings and in a reciprocating manner during theknitting of the heels and toes and for this purpose there is providedthe usual form of drive including the pinions 99, I I4. The pinion 99 isprovided with a sleeve H5 and is loosely mounted upon shaft I00. Duringcircular knitting the rotary movements imparted to the said sleeve II 5and pinion 99 by means of a driving pulley 2 are communicated to theshaft I00 by means of a sliding clutch (not shown) which clutch issplined to the said shaft I00 and is shiftable to and from'engagementwith the pinions 99 and H4. As aforesaid the clutch when in engagementwith the pinion 99 connects the same with the shaft I00 whereby thelatter receives continuous circular movements and by means of gearing(notshown) the needle cylinder revolves continuously in one direction.However, when commencing the knitting of heels and toes the aforesaidclutch is shifted lengthwise of the shaft I00 and into lockingengagement with the pinion H4 whereupon the pinion 99 drives the104 gear99 which in turn oscillates the quadrant 92. The oscillating movementsof the quadrant 92 are in turn communicated to the pinion H4whichlatten'keyed to the shaft I00 by means of the aforesaid clutch,causes the said shaft I00 to be driven first in one direction and thenin another and for nearly a complete revolution in each direction. 1

Operatively connecting the ratchet wheel 31 and the chain 18 whereby,whenever during the fashioning of the leg of the stocking a lug 11engages the lug 19 of the pawl 9|, the ratchet wheel 31 is advanced bythe pawl 42, are means including (Figs. 8,12 and 14) the belt shippersupporting shaft H9 upon which is mounted for pivotal movements'a leverH1 having two arms H9jand H9. The arm H9 has attached thereto adjacentto its free end by means of a set screw I20 one end of a bent rod I2Ithe other end of which is fastened to the lever 9| at I22. Through a pinor bushing I23, pivotally mounted upon the free end of the arm H9 of thelever H1, slidably passes a rod I24 provided with collars I25 and I29adjustably fastened thereto by set screws I21. The collar I25 surroundsthe rod I24 above the free end of the lever arm H9 while thecollar I 29surrounds the shaft I 24 adjacent to the lower end thereof. Surroundingthe' shaft I 24 between the collar I29 and lever arm H9 is a coilexpansion spring I29 which serves to retain the arm H9 in engagementwith the collar I25. At its lower end the rod I24 is pivotally connectedto a lever I29 at I30. The lever I29 to which is fastened thepawl 42 ispivoted at I3I to one arm of a lever I32 which lever is pivotallymounted intermediate its ends upon the quadrant shaft 6|. The other armof the lever I32 has attached thereto a spring I33 the other end ofwhich is connected to stud 54. The arm of the lever I32 to which isattached the spring I33, has connected at its free end an adjustablestop screw I34 normally urged in contact with the hub of the lever 99 bythe spring I33.

At the commencement of leg fashioning a lug 11 carried by a chain 19engages lug 19 and elevates pawl lever 9| to the position shown in Fig.9 and throughout the leg fashioning whenever a lug 11 engages the lug 19that end of the lever II is elevated which rocks the lever H1 and causesthe pawl 42 to be moved to a position to engage a tooth 4I and rack theauxiliary ratchet 31. After the desired number of non-fashioned courseshave been knitted another lug 11, through the connections hereinbeforedescribed, again causes the pawl 42 to engage a tooth 4I and advanceratchet 31. The number of lugs 11 and the number of plain linksseparating them determine the fashioning of the leg, i. e., the numberof fashionings and'the number of courses between fashionings. Theconstruction hereinbefore described controls the pawl 42 so that thelatter racks the auxiliary fashioning wheel 31 once every twelve coursesalthough the number of courses may be varied if desired. The lastfashioning lug 11 causes the pawl 42 to engagethe last tooth 99 (Fig.10) and consequently rack wheel 31. Before the pawl 42 v is again rackedby the oscillations of the quadrant shaft 9i the pawl engaging theratchet I02 has advanced said ratchet and chain 19 to such a position asto move the lug 11 from'under the companion lug 19 with the result thatthe pawl 42 is elevated to an idle position above the teeth 4|.

While the pawl lever 9| is partially elevated as described, the pawl 90(Fig. 2) reciprocates idly along a portion I35 ofthe periphery of theratchet wheel IOI not provided with teeth. The partial lowering of thepawl 90 by the engagement of the lug 19 with a lug 11 although itpermits the said pawl 90 to take a short stroke does not permit it toengage the next following tooth on the ratchet wheel IN, 1. e., thetooth beyond a portion I35, of the periphery of the ratchet wheel IM andrack the cam shaft 30 and cams carried thereby.

The spring I29 primarily functions to compensate for inequalitities inthe heights of the pattern chain lugs 11 in that, should a certain lug11 be somewhat longer or higher than companion lugs, the pawl 42 doesnot jam but the extra movement of the lever arm l I9 is taken up by thecoil spring I29. The coil spring also functions to maintain the leverarm H9 in constant engagement with the collar I25.

A recess I36 provided in the periphery ofthe fashioning wheel 31prevents the constantly reciprocating pawl 42 from cutting into thesurface of the said wheel 31.

In Figs. 14, 15 and 16 there is shown a modified form andcontrol of thefashioning means which is part of the usual stop motion drum I 31.Whereas in the construction hereinbefore described and shown in Figs.8-12 inclusive, the

auxiliary fashioning wheel 31 is independent of the fashioning drum 29,the fashioning means, Figs. 14, 15, 16 does not provide for independentfashioning of the leg of a stocking; but a portion of the periphery ofthe drum I31 is provided with ratchet teeth I38 by means of whichfashioning of the leg is determined while the remaining portion of theperiphery of the drum I31 as well as of the drum 29 may be used for suchother variations in the lengths of the stitches as are required or forother purposes.

During fashioning of the leg of a stocking the fashioningmeans-determines the length of stitch and for that purpose is made fastto the shaft 30 which at its other end carries the main fashioning drum29. Also fixedly mounted upon the shaft 30 is the usual ratchet wheelIOI which ratchet wheel is periodically advanced by means of-thefpawl90, Fig. 2: To prevent the pawl 90 ifrqmfen'gaging,teethgof'the ratchetwheel IOI -"arrd advancing the cam shaft 60 during. the

' of the ratchet Wheel I'0I and. therefore prevents the said pawl 90from advancing the ratchet wheel Il throughout the fashioning of theleg, during which fashioning a pawl I40 periodically engages the teethI38 and advances the auxiliary drum I31 every twelve courses more orless.

" Loosely mounted upon the shaft 30 adjacent to;

the ratchet wheel IOI is a sprocket I4I uponv which is mounted a chainI42. Integrally or otherwise connected to'the sprocket I to ad- "vancethe chain I42 is a ratchet wheel I43 which is periodically advan'cedinthe same manner as is the ratchet wheel I02, Fig. 12.

When knitting portions. of a stocking other mer ts of the cam shaft 30and cam drums wheel IOI as at I44 and remains in such position until theratchet I'43 advances the chain to a position where a high lug thereonelevates a lever I45 by engaging a lug.I46 carried thereby;

whereupon the lever I45 permits the pawl 90, by means of'connectionsshown, Fig. 2, to drop into. engagement with the-next tooth at thebeginning of its return stroke and thus again advance the ratchetwheelI0'I and cam shaftzSO.

' During the fashioning of the leg the auxiliary fashioning ratchetteeth I38, as before stated, determine the changes in the lengths ofstitches and for that purpose the said teeth I38 are provided upon theperiphery of an arc-shaped strip constituting partof a machine frame.

I41 which is detachably fastened to one face of the drum I31 by means ofscrews I48. Thepawl I40, which'is' adapted periodically to engage theratchet teeth I38 and advance the drum I31,

'consists of a bar or rod adjacent to the upper end of which is a toothI49 which, from time-to time, engages the teeth I38 and advances theratchet wheel I31. Attached to the pawl J40 intermediate its ends isacoll spring I50 which is attached at its other end to a bracket IIupstanding from the machine frame. A pin or screw .I52 passes throughthe bracket I5I and acts slidably to receive and guide the pawl I 40 bypassing through an elongated slot t53 provided therein. The lower end ofpawl I40.i s turned ata right angle and passing through said turned endis an ad- .justable stop screw I54 adapted under the infiuencel o'f thespring I50 to engage bracket-'I5I. ,Th'e pawl I40 is periodicallyactuated by means mount'edupon the quadrant shaft 6| and consisting of aheel. and toe dog I55 pivoted upon shaft 6'] .one end of which ,dog ispositioned beneath an adjustable screw I56 carried by the upper end ofthe pawlI40.

In order to rack the drum I31 when desired, preferably every twelve,courses, and to discontinue the racking when desired, means are providedwhich includes a lever I51 pivoteduporra shaft I58 carried by a boss orenlargement, I59 I The lever I51 consists of twoja'rrns I60 and I6I. Thearm I60 has connected .thereto .adjacent to its free end an angle-shapedbar I62 which is also con nec ted'at its other end to lever I45 the lugI46 of which is adapted to be, engaged by any one of the series of lugsI63 carried by the pattern chain .142.. The arm I6I of the lever 151 atits free end is-slidably and pivotally connected to a rod I64 by meansof a bushing I65 loosely mounted ,upon the end of the lever arm IN andthrough The rod I64 is provided with two'adjustably mounted whichbushing the said rod I64 passes.

collars I66 and I61 and a coil spring I68 which surrounds the rod I64between the collar I61 and the end of the lever arm I6I, normallymainfree end of its other arm notched as at I1I for .the purpose ofperiodically engaging under a pin I12' projecting laterally from thepawl I40 adjacent. to its upper end and so that the pawl I40maybemaintained in an upper position against thetension of the springI50. '-"Ihejbell crank lever I69 holds the pawl I40 in' an'elethan thefashioned leg'the pawl 90, by engaging teeth of the ratchetwheel IOI,controls the movevated position and prevents retraction of'the same bythe spring I50 so that the tooth-I45 wyfails to engage the next' ratchettooth 'I'38"and mounted thereon although at times the pawl 90 idlyreciprocates along the surface of the ratchet the'drum I31 is notadvanced untilthe bell crank lever I69 is released from engagementwiththe pin I12 by means now to be described. j. Whenever during thefashioning of the leg of the stocking it "is desired to continue'thesame length of stitch over a certain number of courses,

usually twelve or a multiple thereof, the pattern I31 and holds'the pawlI40 in anidle, elevated -position.,' .If, after a desired number ofcourses, preferably-twelve or a multiple thereof, it be desired again toadvance the ratchetwh'eel" I31, the-next link on the pattern chain I42is provided with a lug I63 whichmoves under" the lug I46 and raises theouter'arrn of lever I45 thereby lowering the lever arm I6I as a resultofwhich-u the spring I68 moves the bell cranii'lever I69 to the positionof Fig. 15 and" releases the pawl 140 torpermit the drum I31't0'beracked the next time the dog I55 raises'the pawl l40.

The ratchet'wh'eel or drum- I31', Figs. 14, 15 and 16; is fast to thecam shaft 30"and as the said adrum I31 is'turned,' in the mannerhereinbefore described; the cam shaft 30 and the fashioning drum 29 areturned and the leg fashioning is determined by the cam'21 which'engagesthe plun'gers Sandthereby raises the cam block 4 or per-' mits the sameto drop; whereas the movements -of: thec'independent fashioning wheel31, Figs. 8-12, are transmitted through lever' 68 and" its arm 12, Fig.13,'to control the vertical movementsof the cam block 4. a

. In Figs. 1-7, 18 and 19 there is shown a modification of thefashioning bracket and cams car- .ried by the cam drum 29 fordetermining'and varying'the lengths. of the. stitches.- 'Ihe'cams .usedare short, reversible andinterchangeable .andthe olfset'toes 16 of theplungers I15 are adapted to be engaged by the mentioned cams cal m. Theoffsetting of the toesl16 with relation to the shanks of the plungersI15 aligns the toes equal to the distance between two adjacent ratchetteeth I03, Fig. 2, and as the distances between adjacent ratchet teethof the ratchet IOI are either the distances between adjacent ratchetteeth I03 or a multiple thereof (the'distance between adjacent ratchetteeth I04 being twice the distance between adjacent ratchet teeth I03and the distance between ratchet teeth I05 being four times that of thedistance between ratchet teeth I03) one or more such cams I13 will spana distance on the drum 29 equal to or equivalent to the distancesbetween adjacent teeth on the ratchet IOI. Although the cams arehereinbefore referred to as being of a length equal to the distancebetween adjacent ratchet teeth I03 or a multiple thereof, should thediameter of the ratchet IN and the drum 29 be unequal then the camsl13would measure an angle equal to that measured by the distance betweenadjacent ratchet teeth I03, but the length of a cam would not be equalto the distance between adjacent teeth I03.

As hereinbefore stated the cams I13 are reversible as well asinterchangeable, i. e., some of the cams such as the cams indicated bythe reference characters I13a, I13b are not only interchangeable, onefor another but may be reversed and fastened to the drum 20 either inone of the places indicated by said reference characters I13a, I13b ormay be fastened to the drum 28 at other places indicated by saidreference characters I130, I131), where the cams are displaced 180degrees with respect to the cams I13a, I13b first named. Furthermorealthough for the particular character of fabric intended to be knittedwith the cams arranged as indicated in Fig. 19, cams I13a, I13b aloneare shown as reversible, nevertheless when arranging cams I13 on thesurface of a drum and for the purpose of controlling the needles to knitother forms of hosiery or other fabric, certain of the said cams I13other or in addition to cams I13a, I13b may be reversible andinterchangeable.

Although the two forms of the invention hereinbefore described differsomewhat nevertheless they have in common the idea of providing a camshaft movable one complete revolution or 360 degrees while knitting astocking, in combination with means supplemental to the pattern chain 18and ratchet adjacent thereto which means includes fine ratchet teethwhereby it is possible to advance the drum 29 or wheel 31 a few degreesonly for each fashioning or change in the lengths of the stitches;whereas the fashioning means heretofore used was indirectly controlledby a pattern chain similar to the chain I8 and directly by a coarsetoothed ratchet similar to or identical with the ratchet IOI, Fig. 2, asa consequence of which whenever the quadrant actuated pawl advanced theratchet thereby advancing a fashioning drum similar to the drum 20, theratchet was advanced the distance measured between two adjacent ratchetteeth which was about four times the distance between two adjacent teeth4| (Fig. 8) or I33 (Fig. 15) and as a consequence the adjacent ratchetteeth were separated a greater number of degrees than the number ofdegrees measured by the distances between adjacent teeth 4| and I38.

Due to the relatively small angular displacement of the auxiliaryfashioning means hereinbefore described it is possible to fashion theleg of a stocking much more gradually and uniformly than heretofore andfurthermore, at the same time, the peripheral surfaces of the drum 29and/or other drums mounted upon the shaft30, when the dependentfashioning means first described is employed, may be utilized for otherfashionings or for other purposes.

We claim:

1. A knitting machine including a needle bed and needles mounted thereinto move independently to and from thread taking position, means variablyto control the needles, a cam shaft having two rotary means mountedthereon each adapted by suchrotation variably to act upon the meansfirst mentioned, other means adapted either to engage one of such tworotary means and advance the same, at times, circumferentially throughan angle or anglesof a predetermined number or numbers of degrees; or toadvance the other such means circumferentially through an angle orangles of fewer degrees than the number of numbers of degrees firstmentioned while fashioning the leg of a stocking.

2. A knitting machine of the independent needle type in combination withcam means for determining the character of knitting which cam means maybe moved through 360 degrees before the pattern controlled changes arerepeated, auxiliary cam means adapted independently to vary thecharacter of knitting, controlling means whereby the cam means firstmentioned are incharacter of knitting, a chain carried by the cam shaftbut mounted for independent movements thereon, means for intermittentlyand constantly advancing the chain, a ratchet rigidly carried by the camshaft and a pawl adapted intermittently to advance the said ratchet andcam shaft when released by means on the chain, other means normallymaintaining the pawl in an inoperative relation with respect to theratchet, pawl releasing means controlled from the chain whereby the pawlis permitted to 'engage and advance the ratchet, other ratchet means anda pawl for advancing such ratchet, means controlled from the patternchain whereby the pawl second mentioned advances its ratchet means whilethe pawl first mentioned is idle.

4. A knitting machine of the independent nee-, dle type in combinationwith cam means for determining the character of knitting, which cammeans may be moved through 360 degrees before the pattern controlledchanges are repeated, auxiliary cam means adapted independentlyto varythe character of knitting, controlling means whereby the cam means firstmentioned are intermittently advanced and active to control thecharacter of knitting during the knitting of some of the courses, butare inactive and prevented from advancing throughout the knitting ofother courses, which controlling means are also adapted to initiatemovements of the auxiliary cam means and continue such movementsintermittently throughout the knitting of the courses second mentionedduring the knitting of which courses the said auxiliary cam means areactive to control the character of knitting.

5. A knitting machine, a rotatable camshaft thereon in combination withmeans for rotatively advancing the cam shaft intermittently during theknitting of a plurality of courses, other means adapted to cause suchcam shaft to stop advancing during the knitting of other courses, and

means, at the same time,'-adapted to be set in motion whereby to controlthe character of knitting during the knitting of such other courses,retiming means adapted thereafter to resume the advancing movementsaofthe means first mentioned whereby the said means thereafter moves themeans second mentioned so that the latter is retimed and moved to adesired circumferential position.

6. A knitting machine provided with a rotary cam shaft for variablycontrollingthe knitting action of the needles, acam for acting upon theneedles, cam means rotatable with the cam shaft and other cam meansrotatable independently thereof, means for intermittently rotating thecam shaft and cams mounted thereon and other means for intermittentlyrotating the second mentioned cam means and while the cam shaft isstationary, which last named means includes a bell crank lever one armof which is engaged.

and rocked by a cam of the last mentioned means, a vertically movablemember, the upper end of which is connected to the needle actuating cam,engageable with and moved by the other arm of the bell crank lever,whereby when the second mentioned cam means is intermittently. rotatedthe needle engaging cam variably controls the action of the needles.

7. A knitting machine of the independent needle type in combination withcam means movable lengthwise of the needles to fashion the fabric byvarying the lengths of the stitches drawn in part at least by theneedles, a cam shaft rotatably carried by the machine frame and havingcam means mounted thereon adjacent to each end thereof, connectionsbetween the two aforesaid cam means and the cam means operable upon theneedles whereby to move the said needle cam means lengthwise of theneedles, means for intermittently rotating the cam shaft during theknitting of some of the courses when one of the cam means, mounted onthe camshaft, controls the vertical positions of the needle cam means,

- the upper ends of each series being out ofalign- -ment with the otherand the cam engaging'ends of all of the members being in alignment.

' 9. In a knitting machine a cam supporting surface having reversibleand interchangeable cams mounted thereon said cams each being angular incross section thereby providing two angularly related portions, one ofwhich serves as a means for attaching the cams to the cam supportingsurface and the other of which serves to function as a cam edge orsurface, the construction of each said cam permitting the same to be attached to the supporting surface. in either of two positions removed 180degrees from one another.

10. In a knitting machine, a rotatable cam shaft, a ratchet and a camdrum mounted upon the said cam shaft to turn therewith, camsinterchangeably "mounted upon the cam drum and each being of a length tomeasure an angle equal to that measured by the distance between adjacentratchet teeth said cams each being angular in cross section therebyproviding two angularly related portions, one of which serves-as a meansfor attaching the cams to the cam supporting surface and the other ofwhich serves to function as a cam edge or surface, the constructionofeach said cam permitting the same to be attached to the supportingsurface in either of two positions removed 180 degrees from one another.7 11. A knitting machine having means for varying the stitch length saidmeans including an element rotatable once during the knittingof each,stocking, and supplemental means movable in- I dependently of the saidelement for fashioning a portion of each stocking by changing thelengths of the stitches, the element being nonrotatable while thesupplemental means varies the stitch length.

12. A knitting machine having movable means for varying the lengths ofthe knitted stitches, and auxiliary movable means for varying thelengths of the knitted stitches while fashioning a stocking, the movablemeans first mentioned being stationary while the auxiliary means ismovable and operative.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. ARTHUR N. CLOU'I'IER.

auxiliary means for advancing the cam shaft

